Telescopic roof cover construction for automotive vehicles



1965 A. w. HALLOCK ETAL 3,155,352

TELESCOPIC ROOF COVER CONSTRUCTION FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES Filed Jan. 3, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS ALBERT n4 mum/r F16 6 450065 5. 44/5 n EA BY W 3PM ATTURA/E) 1965 A. w. HALLOCK ETAL 3,155,352

TELESCOPIC ROOF COVER CONSTRUCTION FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES Fiied Jan. 3, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY WHMM AUTOMOTIVE vnrncrns Albert W.Halloclr,1l.0 Pearl St, and George S. Mistier,

This invention relates to a telescopic roof cover construction for automotive vehicles, such as pickup trucks, delivery wagons, station wagons and the like.

In many types of utility trucks or vehicles, the rear portion of the truck which carries loads of different items is usually left open and exposed to the weather, with the result that the items carried on the truck during bad weather, are exposed to such bad weather and may become spoiled or damaged due to such inclement weather. In many instances, such exposed portion of the truck is covered with tarpaulin or canvas. However, these tend to collect water from rain or snow forming puddles with the results that said such collected Water seeps through the covering.

vide a movable, multiple sectioned cover for an automotive vehicle, such cover having telescopic sections,

.. whereby they may be readily moved toward the forward part ,of the vehicle and moved rearwardly to cover the vehicle or provide additional space protected from the elements. r

It is another object of the present invention to provide; aroof comprising telescopic sections made of any suitable type of weather resistant material, adapted to be slid along the length of the open or top part of the vehicle to coverthe same, and being sufficiently rigid yet light in weight to facilitate their telescopic movement relatively one of the other during the use of the roof as such on the vehicle. I

, It is still another object of the present invention to provide an easily mounted construction for vehicles, hav- .ing'slidable, molded telescopic sections adapted for connection with the open or roof portion of the vehicle to cover the same.

a A more specific object of the invention is to provide an easily mountable roof construction onto an automotive vehicle comprising a plurality of tight, form fitting y telescopic' sections which can be readily slid on tracks .along-the sides of the open, exposed part of the body i of the vehicle to cover the same and protect the con tents of the body of the vehicle from inclement weather.-

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a roof construction comprising a multiplicity of telescopic sections adapted 'to fit and slide along the top sides of the vehicle and form an integral part thereof.

4 Other objects and features of the present invention will become'apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a pickup truck showing a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is arear view of FIG. 1 showing the rear ends of the cover sections;

FIG. 3 is a fragmental side view ofFIG. 1 showing the embodiment in telescoped condition;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

United States Patent TELESCOPIC ROOF COVER C(BNSTRUCTION FQR arssasz Patented Jan. 12, T965 r. lC

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmental detail viewacross the leading edge of the front portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; i

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal, fragmental sectional view -taken on line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a station wagon showing another embodiment of the invention as mounted thereon;

FIG. 8 is a rear end view of FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmental View on fore and aft center line plane through leading edge of forward section;

construction 16 having a plurality of telescopic sections 1'7, 18 and 19, adapted to be mounted on rear open section 20 of said vehicle. The number of such sections,

17, 18 and 19, adapted to be mounted on rear open ing on the size and length of the vehicle, it being understood'that the number of sections shown and described herein are merely for purposes of illustration and not shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

for restriction. Furthermore, said sections each have depending side walls 21 and 22 which will be further described in detail. Said sections are made of any suitable type of weather resistant material such as of ther- -inally formed plastic or die formed aluminum plating;

Vehicle 15 is provided with opposed upright side walls 23 and 24 providing an open area 25 therebetween. On top of each of said side walls is mounted a track 26 and 27. which rest on base support members 26a and 27a respectively and continue forwardly of the wall and converge as a front accommodating section 28 set immediately behind the cab 29 land coextensive with the width between said walls 23 and 24.

The forward sectionl7 is so made that its front 3% adjacent'the rear of cab 29 of the vehicle is closed there by preventing the seepage or entrance of water or snow into the normally open area 25 of the vehicle. Also, it will be noted that sections 18 and 19 are of progressive- 1y and successively diminishing size as one goes to the rear of the vehicle, whereby one section can be telescoped into the other so as to form a compact unit, such as Said sections 17, 18 and 19 are each provided across their tops with beads or reinforcing ribs 31, 32 and 33, respectively. The

:bGEidS extend the width of the tops of each section and then merge into the respective depending side walls as shown in FIG. 2.

Sections 17, 18 and 19 are of unitary construction being preferably initially cast, molded or extruded to assume the desired shape as shown in the drawings. The front sect-ion 17 is provided with a front wall 34 which merges with the side walls thereof 'so as to present a rounded contour. Further, the front wall is provided with a tongue 35 adapted to fit in cross groove 36 and be fixed therein in any suitable manner, not shown. In addition, section 17, at its free end 37, has a depression or concave'peripheral portion 38 which is adapted to-form contact with a peripheral convex end portion 39 on section 18 at its forward end reform a seal thereat.

. Also, said section 18 at its other end is provided with a seal therewith when the sections are pulled away from 16 is so constructed that it readily clears the reverse bead each other as shownin FIG. 1 to form a tight fitting covering on the open area 25 of the vehicle.

It will be further noted that bead 32 of middle section v or concave depression 38 when the sections are compressedtogether as "shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The same feature is present with respect to section 19 in that its bead 33 readily clears reverse bead or concave depressions of middle section 18.

' These beads'readily permit easy sliding ofithesections while at" the. same t-ir'ne prevent leakage of water therethrough into the interior open area 25 of the vehicle in that they form a seal as shown in FIG;6 of the drawings.

- they are installed.- 'The'niaterials usedcan bereadily As previouslydescribed,feach section has side'depending' walls "21' and 22,.'respectively, which terminate into :fiared end portions as shown more specifically in FIG. .4.

The three side walls as shown therein have horizontal extensions-'43, 4d and respectively so as to restin the ,respective, horizontal channels or grooves 46, '47..and 48 respectively to permit easy sliding therein when the sections are moved. It is to be noted that the description of theextensi'ons' on walls 21 :and the grooves is applicable to the construction on the other side Wall and track 27.

Furthermore, said tracks'26and 27 are provided with the respective extensions of the section and are-provided with openings 49. to permit the insertion therein of fasten-. ing members Sitso as to immobilize the sections on the tracks. Said tracks are also provided with a'plurality of drain ducts 51 to permit the outflow of any accumulated I moisture or rain.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the sections 18 and 19 can be readily slid along their tracks to extend the :same as root or covering unit orwhen not in use to be in compacted condition shown in FIG. 3 whereas section 17 is fixed to the forward part of track 26 and27. .The.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 tov 10 inclusive then can be readily moved downwardly over the roof 57 ;so as to permit the insertion of various items tobe covered in the telescopic sections as shown.- Y

Roof constructions of the type .showna'nd described herewith, can be made inany number of telescopic sections depending on the size ofgthe vehicle on to which adapted to the different tormatof section made, and are highly weather resistant; Also, such sections are easily moved and; fastened, 'asrequired, to suitithe specific occasion whether for commercial or pleasure vehicle of land or sea type and to protect the contents of the storage area from inclement weather or damage.

Furthermoregthese sections can be readily telescoped' and compacted so. thatthe rear portion of the truck can be readily loaded; When not necessary, it may beleft exposed to the atmosphere without fear of any damage to any of the material being delivered by. the vehicle.

While the preferred embodiments ofthe invention have been disclosed, it is toqbe understood that. modifications as to arrangement of parts, and use of material maybe made'without departing" from the spirit and scope of-Ithe invention, as claimed herein. 1

What is claimed'asnew is:

1; For an automotive vehicle, 'an adjustable roof con- 7 struction extending longitudinally 'onsaid vehicle comprising opposed tracks parallel to eachother'on said vehicle, a plurality of rearwardly and forwardlymoving "telescopic sections mounted onsaid tracks, the forward it will be noted that the embodiment hereinabove described is used in modified form as 52 on the top of a station Wagon 53 in which the telescopic sections 54, 55 and 56 are mounted on the roof 57 of the station wagon. The

construction of each of said telescopic sections is substari- 'tially the-same as the construction of the sections shown with respect to F168. 1. to 6 inclusive. However, the for- 5 ward telescopic section 54 shown in FIG. 7 has a slanting frontportion 58 so as to be symmetrical with the contour of the forward part of the station wagon. Each of said one of said sections-being adaptedto remain in firm relative position with respect to'the other sections, the same being closed at three sides leaving an open, exposed end,

said end having a beaded portion extending around the same, a proximate adjacent sec'tionhaving a top and side portion thereof with open ends and'a beaded portio'non each of said ends, the forward end of said section having a beaded portion exposed and adapted tocontact' the end portion of the forward section and form-a closure therewith and an inwardly formed bead at the other. rear end,"

and a continuing end section of smaller relative size than the previous sections, having an external-bead at the forward open end and thereof'adapted to contact the' inwardly formed bead at therear open-end of the preceding section to form a closure therewith closure means for said end section, said sections havingterminalfportions extending into the track meansto" permit sliding of the sections along said track, each of said t track'sbeing -mountedon the body of'the vehicle in opposed parallel sections, 5455 and 56 as a unit is'rnounted on tracks 59 and'ed which are attached to the roof 57. of the vehicle.

As previously indicated with respect to the embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 6 said tracks are adjacent the sides of the vehicle and'they joint with a forward track portion 61.

in FIGS. 9 and 10 which accommodate a floor 63. Said floor es is adaptedto fit in grooves 64 of tracks 59 and to provide proper resting place for luggage and the like without scratching the roof 57 of the vehicle.

It will be noted that sections 54, 55 and 56 are provided with reinforcing ribs or beads 54, 65 and 66, respectively to lend strength thereto. In addition, the depending walls 67 and 68, respectively of said sections have hor- 7 Also, said sections are provided with a base 62 as shown relation and having a plurality ilaterally extending it grooves thereinito accommodate the terminal portion of V the side walls of the-sections to permit longitudinal slid-' ing (it the sections, said grooves being provided with drainage meansy 2. A telescopic roof.constructionasset-forth in-claim I 1, in which there are provided sealing meanscontinuous izontal'extensions 67a, 68a and 69a, respectively. to fit in respective grooves 70, 71 and 72 in each track. Furthermore, said extensions and tracks are provided with openings '73 and 74, respectively, to accommodate fastening members 75. Said tracks are also provided with ducts or weep holes 7e extending from the grooves for the passage and drainage of water therefrom.

With respect to the end or rear section 56, it will be noted that the back 77 tapers down towards roof 57 and is provided with flexible canvas cover member 78 fixed thereto with a zipper device 7? which is'used for closing of the open end of said section by means of said flexible; cover. 78.- 1 Upon operating the zipper peripherally around the end: portion of said last section 77, said flexible cover with the track means adapted to act as seal forthe forward part of the first section and be contiguous therewith.

3. The constructionaccording to claim 1 wherein each of the sections is provided with intermediate beaded portions extending across-the top thereof for istifiening of the same.

4. The construction according to claim 5 l w herein the i side walls of each of. the sectionsis provided with terminal.

extensions" extending into the tracks permittingrelative 1 adjustment of the sectionson thevehi'cle.

' means to permit opening of said end portion of thelast section.

5. The; construction according to claim 1, .wherein there are provided fastening'me'ans for each of the sections.

6. The constructionaccording to claim 5 wherein there .are provided closure means for theend section.

7, The combination according to claim l wherein the end sectionis provided with zippered movable closure 8. A telescoping roof for a vehicle comprising a roof construction adapted to. fit over the major length of said vehicle, said roof comprising a plurality of movable, telescopic sections each of which has at least one reinforcing bead across the top thereof, and opposed side, portions integral with the toy and having outwardly flared eXtensions, separately disposed tracks for each of said extensions mounted at the sides of the vehicle for accommodating said extensions, the foremost section having a closed interior portion merging with the top: and sides of the section, each section having a terminal marginal bent edge portion at the top and sides whereby when the sections are drawn away from each other to cover the vehicle, the respective, bent marginal portions form a contact and seal of the respective contacting portions, means slidably fixing the sections to the tracks, Water drainage means on said tracks, and closure means for the last section to cover the free end thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS A. HARRY LEVY, Primary Examiner. 

1. FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE, AN ADJUSTABLE ROOF CONSTRUCTION EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY ON SAID VEHICLE COMPRISING OPPOSED TRACKS PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER ON SAID VEHICLE, A PLURALITY OF REARWARDLY AND FORWARDLY MOVING TELESCOPIC SECTIONS MOUNTED ON SAID TRACKS, THE FORWARD ONE OF SAID SECTIONS BEING ADAPTED TO REMAIN IN FIRM RELATIVE POSITION WITH RESPECT TO THE OTHER SECTIONS, THE SAME BEING CLOSED AT THREE SIDES LEAVING AN OPEN, EXPOSED END, SAID END HAVING A BEADED PORTION EXTENDING AROUND THE SAME, A PROXIMATE ADJACENT SECTION HAVING A TOP AND SIDE PORTION THEREOF WITH OPEN ENDS AND A BEADED PORTION ON EACH OF SAID ENDS, THE FORWARD END OF SAID SECTION HAVING A BEADED PORTION EXPOSED AND ADAPTED TO CONTACT THE END PORTION OF THE FORWARD SECTION AND FORM A CLOSURE THEREWITH AND AN INWARDLY FORMED BEAD AT THE OTHER REAR END, AND A CONTINUING END SECTION OF SMALLER RELATIVE SIZE THAN THE PREVIOUS SECTIONS, HAVING A EXTERNAL BEAD AT THE FORWARD OPEN END AND THEREOF ADAPTED TO CONTACT THE INWARDLY FORMED BEAD AT THE REAR OPEN END OF THE PRECEDING SECTION TO FORM A CLOSURE THEREWITH, CLOSURE MEANS FOR SAID END SECTION, SAID SECTIONS HAVING TERMINAL PORTIONS EXTENDING INTO THE TRACK MEANS TO PREMIT SLIDING OF THE SECTIONS ALONG SAID TRACK, EACH OF SAID TRACKS BEING MOUNTED ON THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE IN OPPOSED PARALLEL RELATION AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF LATERALLY EXTENDING GROOVES THEREIN TO ACCOMMODATE THE TERMINAL PORTION OF THE SIDE WALLS OF THE SECTIONS TO PERMIT LONGITUDINAL SLIDING OF THE SECTIONS, SAID GROOVES BEING PROVIDED WITH DRAINAGE MEANS. 